New Orleans' Human Horse Races are an absurd alternative to the real thing on Thanksgiving

And they’re off! For the sixth year, the Human Horse Races , a nutty family-friendly event will take place in Mid-City on Thanksgiving Day. The mini festival centers on a series of sprints in which human runners, wearing big rubber horse masks, carry other humans on their backs as they gallop toward the finish line to the cheers of onlookers.

The absurd activity began as an alternative to the real horse races that take place at the Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots on Thanksgiving. But over the past six years, the Human Horse Races event has taken on an identity and following of its own.

Founder Ingrid Anderson of Chalmette said that she always used to head to the track on Thanksgiving to watch the ponies run and, just as importantly, watch the people peacock around in their fall finer